Grist Says Earth Day Is For 'Amateurs'

Making a lasting impact for the planet isn't about what you do once a year on April 22 -- it's about what you do every single day, according to Grist, which has launched a campaign entitled "Screw Earth Day!"

Grist, an online source for environmental news and information, says while Earth Day -- celebrated every year on April 22 -- played a critical role in launching the modern-day environmental movement, its message has become watered down. Grist's promotion highlights the changes people can make in their everyday lives to help the Earth.

"Too many people tokenize Earth Day, using it as an excuse to hug a tree one day and ram it with their SUV the next," said Chip Giller, founder and CEO of Grist. "We say, screw that. One day is for amateurs. We can do better."

The irreverent campaign coincides with the start of a year-long 10th Anniversary celebration for Grist and the launch of its new Web site at grist.org.

Grist is encouraging new users to sign up for daily and weekly news updates by providing two incentives: a free download of its book "Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide to Greening Your Day" and a free trip for two (including round-trip airfare, full festival passes and carbon offsets) to Bonnaroo, the popular music and arts festival that has a long-standing commitment to sustainability.

I love the point Grist is making and I completely agree that every day should be Earth Day, but I still think that a day to raise awareness is crucial. For those not coming from a sustainability interest/background, this is a day for them to focus on learning how to change their lives to integrate new practices and routines that benefit the environment. Just like when a band goes on tour to promote an album...the album may be released but many listeners don't pay attention until the band comes through their town with a live show. Then they go out and buy it and make it a part of their lives. And so with Earth Day - it may garner some interest from the previously unaware and cause people to convert so to speak. Maybe it is not the "day" itself that is the issue, but the focus on treehugging rather than education and a look at how being green can effect the bottom line. I don't care why people are changing their ways in support of this "green" movement as long as they are getting involved in making a difference. If a guy drives his hummer 30 miles a day, but is contributing 3% of his earnings to alternative energy research, that's better than just polluting the environment without offsetting it in any way, isn't it?